Melanoma skin cancer can be fatal unless caught early, but most skin lesions are harmless. Dermoscopy with training can help with diagnosis. This blog is not a substitute for a medical opinion-if you are worried about a changing or funny looking mole or spot, get it checked by a doctor with suitable skills.

A dark but perfectly harmless globular naevus

This mole on a man’s chest was viewed with concern as it was quite dark and of somewhat variable colour, but dermoscopy revealed a perfectly innocent cobblestone pattern allowing confident reassurance. Note the view of the hair below the surface of the skin, deomonstrating the power of dermoscopy to see though the epidermis.

benign cobblestone globule pattern of naevus

This is where the dermoscope can really score, even with relatively minimal training and experience: looking at a mole that causes some concern and being able to confidently say it is harmless.